FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ EXAMINING THE FOUNDATION ~ 02 July 2017

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

EXAMINING THE FOUNDATION

It was back in 1962, I'm told, when cracks began to appear in the 42nd story of a very expensive high-rise in Hong Kong. It had already withstood numerous typhoons. And there was no ready explanation for the cracks' sudden appearance. Yet there they were. Obviously, there had to be a problem somewhere. So a team of architects and structural engineers was called in to ferret out the cause.

Finally, one determined engineer stumbled upon the reason as he was prowling around the foundations deep in the basement. When he tapped the plaster, he noticed that some parts sounded strangely hollow. So he began systematically chipping away at the covering layer. And soon he had his explanation -- a large number of bricks had been removed from the building's foundation! But, why? Further investigation eventually led to a surprising revelation. It seems that, some years earlier, a night watchman had been building an addition to his house. To save on costs, he had loosened the mortar around a few bricks each night, removed them from the wall, wrapped them in old newspaper, and smuggled them out of the building at the end of his shift. He only took a few at a time. And no one had ever noticed. He didn't think it would make a difference. After all, he had been very careful to fill the breach with plaster. But an engineer could have told him differently. Though it might take years for such cracks to appear, the end result was inevitable once the foundation had been weakened. The building APPEARED sound, but, as is so often the case, an attractive exterior hid a potentially fatal flaw.

As Dr. Harold Sala commented, "...the cracks... don't always appear overnight, but when the foundation is tampered with, inevitably the superstructure will feel the effect." He was talking about family life, but you could just as easily apply those comments to our spiritual development... or to life in the wider community. The Psalmist asked, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3) And who could forget the story Jesus told about the importance of foundations? (Matthew 7:24)

This weekend offers another perspective on the topic of "foundations" as millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day. And for those of us who are committed, from a FAITH perspective, to the pursuit of truth and justice, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the healthy ways that faith has often influenced our citizenship. I remember that Earl Warren, who later became chief justice of the Supreme Court, once admitted, "I believe the entire Bill of Rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it." Our nation still has many flaws, and has frequently failed to live up to its lofty ideals. But, time and again, it has been our founders' vision of "freedom and justice for all" that has enabled us to overcome divisions and make a "course correction" without anarchy.

This holiday weekend offers the opportunity to celebrate that vision, perhaps even to rediscover its religious roots. It was faith, not greed, that led the founders to "...hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights." It's a time for reflection and recommitment. A time to (as Isaiah says) "look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug." (51:1)

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

[radu]

The corn won’t grow any higher now. It’s plumping up the kernels with this rain and soon will start turning yellow. But it’s touching the sky now. Quite tall this year, and gorgeous.

I hated getting Pixie spayed while she was in heat but with Lessa’s two sons still being “real men”, it had to be done. At least it was just starting and she wasn’t full-blown yet. Been trying to get the boys snipped but other cat issues came up that were higher priority. Maybe next week ........

[luvie]

I’m glad it’s such a good crop this year! I know farming can be such a gamble.

She’s probably happy not to be in heat any more. I’m sure it wasn’t any harder to do it then than when she wasn’t. Sure don’t need any more surprises. LOL!

[PROCON]

Oh, the little guy runs like a maniac and then stumbles, tripping over his own paws and goes face first into the grass, but gets right up and continues the race to nowhere.

The other 2 dogs watch his antics and have pretty much figured he's here to stay so they kind of accept him.

It's a hoot to watch the little guy run amok.

[radu]

Yes, it’s a gamble but it’s paying off this year so far. all the fields around here are beautiful. A lot of farmers took a beating last year but the young man who farms our fields has a knack. He got a decent yield when so many others didn’t.

It really isn’t good to spay them while they’re in heat and if things were different, we wouldn’t have done it with Pixie. Better to spay her now than do it when she’s pregnant. We do NOT need more kittens! The four current lil whirlwinds are plenty! LOL!

[radu]

LOL! Sounds like a day of great entertainment with him! They are so funny at that age.

The other two dogs might have accepted him but they’re staying out of his way apparently. Can ya blame ‘em? :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[luvie]

I’m glad y’all are fortunate to have someone working your land who has a clue how to do it!

The little whirlwinds are waaaaay more than enough, I’ll bet. My two at that age just about gave me ulcers. LOL!

[radu]

His family owns a lot of land in the county and he rents a lot of acreage as well. The fields he farms stand out - - much prettier. The guy has a huge green thumb.

I’m surprised I don’t have ulcers by now. LOL! The whirlwinds are bad enough but when the other 38 are added to the mix .......
No ulcers yet but plenty of gray hairs! :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Build the house upon the Rock!!!

The best thing to do. Good evening, Sand, and a Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours. ((HUGS))

[luvie]

I’ll bet that’s right! LOL! How are the little hellions getting along with the other 38? I’ll bet some of the older ones just wish they’d go away! :)

[radu]

The kittens are still in the bedroom. They’re still too small to be out in the rest of the house. Hubby doesn’t really watch where he’s walking and could easily crush one - - they’re BAD about getting under the feet. I shuffle when I walk in the bedroom so I don’t crush one of them.

I put a large piece of cardboard at the bottom of the screen door so the kittens won’t climb the screen. They tore a hole at one bottom corner so they can see out and some of the others will hang out by the door, peeking through the hole at them. They’re getting to know each other so when the girlies are finally let out, things should go smoothly.

But yeah, some of the older ones will NOT enjoy their rowdy antics. LOL! They really are something else. Whew!

Are there more activities planned for tomorrow or will everyone head back home?

Oh, and WOOHOO! #50 is yours!

[luvie]

The older ones are probably peeking through that hole thinking...oh, lord...please keep those brats in there! :)

I will head home sometime in the morning. Hubby needs my car when he takes his mom anywhere as there is so much glass in his he’s afraid she’ll get cut. Besides, everyone has to get back to their weekday schedules. I dread the drive, but at least Sundays are usually pretty quiet.

[radu]

The “older” ones who are peeking through the hole are the young cats - - Lessa’s kids, Lake, Lily, Big ‘Un .... all under 4 years old. They want to play. And to teach the kittens all their bad habits. LOL! Those lil girlies have enough of their own already!

I gather the insurance companies aren’t going to help with rental cars since people would be driving them a long time. That stinks, leaving everyone with cars in horrible shape for several months. Sure don’t need your MIL getting cut by the glass in his car.

I hope the weather’s nice for your drive home tomorrow. There’s a big batch of ugly on the radar right now NW of your town. Be careful if it’s across the interstate in the morning.

[luvie]

Guess I’d better head out and get some rest. There are no pews in the car, but there is a steering wheel. LOL!

Have a good day tomorrow. See ya in the evening!

[radu]

Yes, that steering wheel will require alertness tomorrow. You have a long drive ahead of you. Safe travels for you and all the others!

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Sunday morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

Apparently I read the date wrong. I meant to post this message here but I posted it on yesterday's thread.((LOL)):-D Oh well....

((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT